Anyone here eat nuts?

[Maljonic]

I've just started eating nuts, but I don't really know much about them in terms of nutrition - I just always assumed they were kind of healthy.

I started eating cashew nuts, but they have a kind of soapy texture that gets a bit much for me if you eat them on their own. I've also given brazil nuts a go and I think they seem pretty good eating.

I've also been eating a lot of unsalted roasted peanuts (which technically aren't actually nuts) but I have no idea how healthy, or not, that is. Any ideas, thoughts on other nuts to eat?*






*this topic is so open to abuse.

[hockeymom]

Almonds are great for you. In a pinch, I'll use them as my protein. They are about 7 calories each, so I only eat about 10 or so. They fat in them is a heart healthy fat, and keeps you satisfied a little longer. I'll eat cashews too, but they seem so oily, I prefer the almonds. Our healthfood store has tamari almonds (some kind of spice) They are really yummy.
I know BFL says its a fat....but in a pinch, it's better than a twinkie!

[hockeymom]

Eating almonds has the same effect as the cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins. A one and a half ounce handful of almonds is a leading source of vitamin E and magnesium and offers protein, fiber, potassium, calcium, phosphorus and iron in 246 calories. Also, almonds (and other nuts) contain phytochemicals, which are plant chemicals that may provide powerful protection against heart disease, stroke, and other chronic diseases.



New research gives even more support to the healthy benefits of almonds: almonds may well be a food that helps fight obesity and diabetes.
At the recent 2005 Experimental Biology conference there were several studies regarding the benefits on almonds. Almonds may lower LDL (aka “bad) cholesterol, and they seem to help block the body’s absorption of both fat and carbohydrates. This has numerous implications for diabetes, obesity, and heart disease. The fiber structure of almonds may be the mechanism behind this phenomenon, and this reduces the calories available from the almonds themselves. Almonds may slow the actual absorption of the carbohydrates into the body, which means that they help to create a slower rise in blood sugar levels – and therefore help to keep insulin levels in check.



Almonds also have greater levels of satiety, that is, satisfaction or fullness from food. This may be due to the high fiber content of the almonds, and this greater satiety leads to an overall satisfaction of hunger that can help people to maintain a healthy weight. The studies done at Purdue University showed that adding nearly two servings of almonds to a person’s diet did not cause them to gain weight or body fat at all, but rather led them to decrease their intake of calories from other sources of food. Therefore they did not consume more calories overall but kept the same levels of consumption despite adding almonds to their diet.

[Hamoth]

Wow. Almonds made my shopping list.

[Maljonic]

Me too, I'm going to start eating almonds today. There's an organic health food store right across the street where I can get them.

P.S. Thanks hockeymom, I gave you a plus rep for making up my mind about the nuts.

[hockeymom]

If your store has the tamari ones, try those! They are way yummy. My store has them in the bulk bin.

[Maljonic]

It just said Organic Almonds on the tub, so I got a bag of those.

[Chris]

Tamari is actually wheat free soy sauce. I like it better than regular soy sauce. I love those tamari almonds too!

I'm also a fan of walnuts and pecans these are higher in fat (since we know it's good fat, I should just say higher in calories, that's really what matters) than the other nuts, so eat less of them. I also like tahini, which is a butter made from sesame seeds.

[hockeymom]

Hmmm, I didn't know that Chris! You are a wealth of knowledge! How have you been? It's been a while since we've chatted!

[Chris]

Hi! I'm doing great. Still rockin out in the gym several days per week you?

[hockeymom]

Trying to get into a routine. Between home schooling and hockey, we're kind of all over the place! I'm getting there though!

[hockeymom]

If you have a minute, check my blog and see what you think about the new schedual I might try.

[nvedia]

sprouted almonds are always better than eating it raw
Just thought would add my opinion here!

Does soaking almonds in water overnight & consuming them next morning have any special nutritive effect? - Yahoo! Answers